When Huck Plyler was six years old, he saw a commercial for the armed forces. Inspired by the heroism he saw on screen, he spoke with his mom about doing something to help.
Plyler noted, "They do so much for us and I don't think we do enough for them, after they risk their lives."
"I told my mom I wanted to send them steak," he said, "But you can't do that. We figured something out to send them."
Instead of steak, Plyler started sending care packages to deployed service men and women.
"We had a guy who worked for us and he went into the Navy. That's kind of how it started, I just started sending him one, two, three, four, five," he said.
Five years later and he's sent around 1,200 boxes containing toiletries, puzzles and non perishable snack items to soldiers all over the globe.
Huck's Military Care Package Project iputs together care packages for members of the military that are currently deployed. Previous packages have been sent to deployed military in the Horn of Africa and other areas.
For his efforts, Huck has been honored by Congressman Bruce Westerman at the United States Capitol and was recently awarded the Youth Leadership award in his hometown of Hope. He is the inaugural recipient of the award and the youngest person to ever receive an award from the Hope Chamber of Commerce.
Huck also received donations at the New Hope Extreme Wrestling show, which took donations at the door.
"That was something else," Huck reflected.
Those would like to donate items to Huck's project may do so at the following drop off businesses:
- Hempstead County Farm Bureau at 1902 E. 3rd Street No. 3 Hope, AR
- OPED at 570 Ben Lane in Camden
For monetary donation, checks can be made payable to Huck Plyler - Huck's Military Care Package Project and sent to Briana Plyler 1748 Hempstead 7, Hope, Ar. 71801 Attn: Huck Military Care Package Project.
Those wishing to submit addresses can call 870-723-0604 or message the Huck's Military Care Package Project page on Facebook.